Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has had recent discussions with Harrow Council on the potential impact of bankruptcy at that council on public services; and if he will make a statement.

Local authorities are responsible for setting and maintaining their own balanced budget. Harrow set a balanced budget at Full Council on 23 February and the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2023/24 made available additional funding to Councils to assist in their work.

The Department does not performance manage or inspect the financial position of councils. Officials do talk to local authorities regularly, and any authority worried about its ability to maintain a balanced budget should contact the department.